Swimming appliance



May 9, 1933. w. F. RICHMOND SWIMMING APPLIANCE Filed May 25, 1952Patented May 9, 1933 UNITED STAT as WILLIAM F. nIorrMoNn, OF cnroaeo,runners SWIMMING Application filed Ma 23,

This inventionrelates to improvements in swimming appliances having foran object to provide a device of the character mentione'd, capableof'ready and convenient attachment to the wrist or near fore portion ofa users arm, operable in such a manner, during the execution of swimmingstrokes to increase the proficiency of the swimmer user and also, toenable said user to'traverse his swimming course at a greater speed thanthat attainable from the same physical effort were the swimmer notequipped wvith the appliance.

It is also an equally important object of the invention to provide aswimming appli ance so constructed andpositioned with relation to ausers arm or arms, that when an equipped arm is moved in a predetermineddirection in the effecting of a propelling swimming stroke, the samewill be caused 0 to immediately and automatically move to an operativeposition and in so doing, afiord material aid to the user in attaining amaximum of propulsion from the then executed swimming stroke with but aminimum of physical effort. V I It is likewise an object of theinvention to provide a device of the character stated which, during andthroughout the return of a users arms from executed swimmingorpropelling strokes to positions for execution of others, will be causedto automatically move to an inoperative or feathered position withrespect to the equipped arm or arms, hence, avoiding resistance by'thesame to the water and allowing the users arms to he carried throughtheir respective return movements prior to initiatingpropelling strokesWithoutadding burden to and by consequence prematurely tiringtheswimmer.

Yet another object of the invention may be stated to reside in theprovisionof a swimming appliance, the construction of 'which is ofstrong and durable character,- and furthermore, of such a simple natureas to permit its manufacture at a minimum cost. I Other objects of theinvention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. V

In order that the invention and its mode of operation may be readilyunderstood by APPLIIANCE 193a serial at. 612,944.,

those skilled in theart to which it appertains, have in theaccompanyingdrawings and in the detailed description based thereupon,set out one possible embodiment of my invention.

In thisdrawing; Figure 1 is a top view of the;improved appliance'showingthe same attached 'to the wrist of a userahd showing the operativepositions of the blade frames in dotted lines FigureQ is a top plan viewofithe device in 160 which the basal portion and the blade frames,together. with the wrist attaching band have beenillustrated inflattenedpositions whereby ,to show, mo'reclearly, the construction andarrangement of thepparts of the appliance; A" a Figure 3 is a verticaltransverse section taken on the line of Figure 1 looking in thedirection in whichthe arrowspoint, and,

Figure 4 is affragmentary detailiin' end elevation, looking toward thenormallyforward end of one side of thejap'pliance, illustrating thecurvature of the inner endpor tion of the blade frame and thearrangement of the water deflecting beading engaged aliiout portionsof'each ofthe blade frame s1 es.

Having more particular referenceito the drawing, in connection withwhich like characters of reference 'will designate corresponding partsthroughoua the device consists of a body portion, preferably constructedof spring wire orv its equivalent, made from a single piece of suchmaterial, which, as will be noted upon reference tothe 5 Figure2 of the;accompanying drawing, is bent upon itselftoprovide a basal part 1 and apair of correspondingly formed juxtaposed loop-like or elongatedbladeframesflf, The basal -part -1 has the intermediate portion thereofcurved upon itself so as to substantiallyconform to the contour of the.wrist or near forearm portion of ausers arm, while the oppositeextremities of said part, togeth-, er withjth-e adjacent portions "ofthe outer sides of the blade frames are curved or'flared outwardly, asindicatedat 3, the purposeof which will be subsequently; described. A

, Theibladeframe s'i 2Lare tautly covered with a suitable material, suchas sheetrubbenrubberized fabric or the like, indicated by the numeral 4,the marginal portions of which are molded or vulcanized over and aboutthe side and end portions of the blade frames and the adjacent portionsof the basal part 1, as is clearly shown in the Figure 1. It will bethus seen that the blade frames, together with their respectivecoverings 4, will provide the device with water engaging sur faces. Eachof these blade frames 2 are provided upon their outer or free ends witha strip-like beading 5 of channel-like formation in order to permit ofengagement over and about'adjacent portions of said frames 2 andafiixation thereto by molding or vulcanizing. It will be noted that notonly are the beading strips 5 engaged over the normally outer orrearward ends of the frames 2 but also, that the strips each extendinwardly along the outer sides of their respective frames for portionsof the lengths thereof. Each of the headings is provided with a finlikeweb 6. Eachof the webs are curved upon themselves in outward direct-ionsso as to substantially correspondto the curvature and disposition: ofthe portions 3 of the blade frames 2, and also, it will be noted thatthe webs 6taper off along the respective outer sides of said frames.These webs, While not being rigid, do possess a certain degree ofinherent stiifness which will prevent an excessive flexing of the same.a v

' In order that the device may be effectually attached to the wrist of auser, it is provided with a wrist engaging band, preferably formed ofinelastic material, such as rubberized heavywebbing or the like,indicated bythenumeral 7. The band is fixedly connected, adjacentportions ofits inner edge to corresponding portions of the basal part 1,as by molding or vulcanizing the same to said adjacent portions of thebasal part or by stitching, as indicated at 8 To facilitate securing ofthe band about the wrist of a wearer, I preferably provide the oppositeends thereof with series of eyelets 9, through which a suitable lace 10is adapted to be passed for drawing the band tightly about the userswrist, whereupon it is secured in such engaged position by tying thefree ends of the lace; Because of the manner in which the inner ornormally forward end of the appliance is connected-to the basal part 1,as heretofore referred to by the numeral 8, it will be understood thatoutward swinging movement of the spring wire blade frames with relationthereto, will be permitted at times. To limit this outwards swingingmovement of the blade frames 2 with respect to the wrist band 7 and ausers forearm, and also, to place each blade frame under spring tensionor a normal urge toward inward movement, upon such outward swingingthereof, I provide an elastic checking or tethering device 11, as isshown in the Figure 2, arranging saiddevice or element adjacent theouter side and intermediate portion of the wrist engaging band '4' andvulcanizing or otherwise fixedly connecting the side and normally innermarginal portions thereof to said band. The elastic element 11 isadapted to have straddling arrangement with respect to adjacent portionsof the juxtaposed sides of the blade frames 2 and is molded orvulcanized to or about said adjacent portions of the frames whereby toeffect positive connection therewith. Thus, it will be seen that uponoutward swinging movement of the frames 2, to wit, movement of saidframes in a pivotal manner away from the wrist attaching band -7, theelastic element 11 will be caused to stretch and by such stretching,will place the engaged portions of the frames 2 under tension, i. e., anormal inward urge or pull will be applied to said engaged portions oftheblade frames 2 as they are moved in their outward swinging paths withrespect to the users forearm, and particularly, to those positions asshown by dotted lines in the Figure 1. Consequently upon! this, it willbe manifest that when the blade frames are disengaged from the waterfollowing the execution of a propelling swimming stroke, they will becaused to'automatically return to their inoperative or featheredpositions with respect to the users arm, as isshown in full lines in theFigure 1.

To close the gap between those portions ofv the inner sides of the bladeframes extending beyond the element 11 and to thereby afford a greaterarea of water engaging surface for the appliance; also, to preventexcessive spreading as between the blade frames when they move in theiroutward swinging positions, I attach an elongated piece of elastic"material 12 to said frames, as shown in the Figure 2, vulcanizing ormolding the same into fixed connection with the wire engaged portions ofthe coverings 4. In this way, not only is the appliance provided with agreater water engaging surface, but also, it will be understood that thefree ends of the; blade frames 2 will be permitted to move apart atthose timeswhen theyare swung outwardly to the positions as shown indotted lines in the Figure '1; furthermore, by reasonof the elasticconnection of the piece 12 with the frames, their return to theirinitial positions will be insured, duringand following their respectivemovements to the aforesaid feathered positions. J v j To' provide theappliance with additional water engaging surfaces, whereby to increasethe traction efficiency thereof, with opening or outward swinging of theblade frames durments consisting of pieces of rubberized inelasticmaterial 18. "The rearward marginal portions of each of these pieces 13are oblique 1y disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of each ofthe blade frames 2 and certain of their side portions are vulcanized orotherwise fixedly connected -to adj acent portions of the normally outer:side of the Wrist engaging band 7, while other portions of the deviceare vulcanized or similarly connected to adjacent portions of thenormally underside of the coverings 4 of the blade frames 2," asindicated by the numeral 14. Because of the disposition of the pieces 13withrespect to the wrist band and theblade frames, it will be understoodthat when the appliance itattached to the wrist of a user and is inthatposition as shown in the full lines in Figure 1, said pieces will befolded upon themselves so as to not interfere with the featheredarrangement of the blade frames. However, when the blade frames areswung to their operative positions, away from a users forearm, as duringthe execution of a propelling swinging stroke, the outward swinging orspreading movement of said blades will be such that the pieces 13 willbe caused to assume positions at substantially right angleswith relationto the inner sides of the coverings at by reason of their spanningconnection therewith and with the aforesaid portions of the wristengaging band 7. By reason of this positioning of the pieces 13,'it willbe understood that pockets will be formed thereby adjacent theinn ersurfaces of the coverings 4t and that these pockets will serveasadditional means for increasing the propelling efficiency of theappliance.

In'usage of my improved swimming appliance, the same is placed upon ausers wrist, in the manner as is shown in the Figure 1. The wristengaging band 7 is drawing snugly about the users wrist by means of thelace 10, which is tied adjacent the normally inner or underside of thewrist. In this way, it will be seen that the appliance will be firmly orsecurely positioned in an embracing-like engagement over or about thewrist and forearm portion of the user, with the free or normally innerends of the blade frames 2 in snug or juxtaposed relation to-said usersforearm. When the user executes a propelling swimming stroke, it will beunderstood that the equipped arm will be drawn rearwardly and downwardlythrough the water. At the beginning of this propelling swimmlng strokethat is, as the equipped arm is moved downwardly and rearwardly throughthe Water, it will be seen that the engagement of the water under thenormally inner ends of the blade frames 2 will be sufficient to cause anoutward flexing or spreading'of the same. The engaging of the waterunder the blade frames to effect this outward flexing or spreading isfacilitated by reason of the curvature 3 of the blade frames andthebasal part l,

together with the outwardly curved web portions 6' of the strip-likebeads 5. Consequently upon this spreading? or outward flexing of-theblades 2 from the basal part 1, a lifting efficiency will be imparted"to'the. device, which Will serve as a means for enabling the user tomore'effectually keep vand maintain his body upon or near the surface ofthebody ofwater inwhich he is'swimming. As the user draws his equippedarm rearwardly in a continuation of the propelling swimming stroke, itwill be seenthatthe resistance ofzthe wateroffered to the normally freeor innerlendszof the blades 2 will be such as to'oausesaid blades to beswung outwardly Withrespectto the users forearm, to positions at asubstantially 45 degree angle, as illustrated in the dotted lines of theFigure 1. This outward swinging of the blades to i the dotted'linepositions, obviously, provides an increased water engaging surface, andin so doing, enables the user to attain amaximum propelling efliciencyfromthe executed stroke.

As the propelling swimming stroke is completed,the'users equipped arm isnow re turned or moved forwardly to a position for execution of afollowing or another propelling stroke. Such forward movement, followingthecompletion of a propelling stroke,

obviously, removes the water resistance to the previously outwardlyswung iblades 2 and thereupon, the inherent resiliency of the wireconstituting said blades and the inward pull imparted *to the bladesfrom the stretched elastic element 11 will cause saidblades toimmediately returnto their normal or initial positions withrespect totheusers arm, hence, providing for what may be aptly described as afeathering of the blades 2 upon theirre turn stroke and therebypreventing that impedance 'to the forward propulsion ofthe users bodywhich would be encountered were the blades 2 permittedto remain in theiroutwardly swung positions or in substantially outwardly swung positions,Also, it will be understood that with the return movement of the usersarm from a propelling swimappliance comprising blade-like spring dies, awrist attaching bandconnected to certain of the ends of-said bodiesa'manner to permit of, swinging movementofthelatterwithrespecttotheband,

and yieldable means connected to a portion of the wrist attaching bandand having tethering connections to portions of said bodies for part ina manner to permit of outward swinging movement of the blades withrespect to that portion of a users body to which the appliance isattached, at times, a spring means connected to said band and toportions of the blades for normally retaining said blades in juxtaposedrelation to the users arm and with outward swinging of the blades to theband and said users arm, to impart an inward pull thereto whereby tocause automatic return of the blades to their normal positions followingan outward swinging of the same. a a

I 3. A swimming appliance, comprising a wrist embracing spring basalportion, the opposite extremities of which are adapted to, be extendedbeyond the wrist of a user, spring blades carried upon the oppositeportions of said basal part adapted to be disposed coincidentally withrespect to the users arm and to be normally arrangedlin anembracing-like engagement with respect to said arm, a wrist attachingband-secured to said basal part in a manner to permit of outwardswinging movement of the blades with respect to the band and withrespect to the users forearm, elastic means connected to theintermediate portion of one side of said band and having tetheringconnection to adjacent portions of said blades whereby to normallyretain the bladesin their embracing-like engagement with respect to theusers forearm and with outward swinging movement of said blades withrespect to the users arm, to cause their automatic return to saidembracinglike engagement, and means upon certain of the marginalportions of'said blades for causing the deflection of water engagedthereby to the under-sides of the same in the execution of a propellingswimming stroke.

4. A swimming appliance comprising a body consisting of a piece ofspring material, including a basal part curved tohave snugembracing-like engagement with the wrist of a users arm and the oppositesides thereof ginal portions of said blades for causing water to bedeflectedto the under sides of the blades during the execution of aswimming stroke, a wrist attaching band connected to said basal part ina manner to permit, at times of outward swinging movement of said bladeswith respect to the band and the ,users arm, spring means connected to aportion of' the band and to adjacent portions of said blades operable,with outward swinging movement of said blades, to impart an inward pullthereto, whereby to return the blades to their normal positions withrespect to the users arm following a swimming stroke, and finlikemeansconnected to other portions of the wrist attaching bandand to portionsof the normally undersides of said blades, operable with outwardswinging of the blades to provide water engaging means, v

, 5. A swimming appliance, comprising a spring basal element, having theopposite extremities thereof outwardly curved, looplikeframes carriedupon opposite portions of the basal element, co-incidentally disposedwith respect to each other, coverings foreach of said frames, anattaching band disposed transversely of and connected to portions ofsaid loop-like frames, and yieldable means connected to portions of saidattachingband and having tethering connections to portions of saidloop-like frames for placing the same under spring urge upon andduringtimes of outward swinging movement of the frames with respect tosaid band. 4

In witness whereof he has hereunto set his hand. WILLIAM F. RICHMOND.

being fashioned into elongated complemental and juxtaposed loop-likeframes, covering material engaged over each of said loop-like frameswhereby to constitute water engaging blades adapted to be normallyarranged in embracing-like engagement-over and about an adjacent portionof the users arm, water deflecting means upon certain of theimar-

